Soft tip cannula and methods for use thereof

ABSTRACT

A surgical device having a body portion that is gripped by a user, the body portion having a distal end equipped with a soft tip and the proximal end optionally connected to an external vacuum or gas/air source. The surgical device is particularly suitable for use in ophthalmic surgical procedures to remove fluid from the eye or introduce gas/air into the eye. The soft tip is fabricated to protect the delicate tissues if the eye and is further modified so as to enhance a user&#39;s visibility of the device in the surgical field.

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Serial No. 60/241,496 filed Oct. 18, 2000, the teaching ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a device used in connection withmedical procedures, more particularly to cannulas used in ophthalmicprocedures (e.g., retinal tear and retinal detachment surgery), as wellas methods of use thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Cannulas are used in ophthalmic surgical procedures, such asretinal detachment surgery, to aspirate fluids such as blood, aqueoushumor, and infused balanced saline solutions. The cannulas are typicallyconnected by PVC tubing to a machine induced vacuum source and thefluids are collected in a disposable cassette in the machine. Forophthalmic surgical procedures, it is important that the cannula tip bespecially designed for the delicate eye area. Thus, for example, suchcannula tips are typically formed with rounded, smooth edges. Cannulashave also been made with a tip formed from a transparent soft materialsuch as silicone. The soft silicone tip helps prevent damage to thedelicate tissue of the eye in the event of physical contact with theeye.

[0004] Retinal detachment is a serious eye condition that, if nottreated early, may lead to impairment or loss of vision. The conditiontypically affects older individuals, individuals with myopia(near-sightedness) and individuals with relatives having retinaldetachment. In some instances, a hard, solid blow to the eye has lead toretinal detachment. Further, individuals who have undergone cataractsurgery have, in some cases, subsequently developed retinal detachment.

[0005] The retina is a fine layer of nerve cells that covers the insideback portion of the eye (FIG. 2). If the retina thins, one or more smalltears or holes in the retina may result (FIG. 3), leading to retinaldetachment (FIG. 4). More often, retinal detachment is caused byshrinkage of the vitreous. The vitreous is a clear, gel-like substancethat fills the inside of the eye and is firmly attached to the retina inseveral places. As the vitreous shrinks, as a result of age,inflammation, injury or near-sightedness, it often separates from theretina and, in some cases, it may pull a piece of the retina away withit, leaving a tear or hole in the retina. If the retina tears or breaks,watery fluid from the vitreous may pass through the hole and flowbetween the retina and the back wall of the eye producing “subretinal”fluid. Over time, the flow of the vitreous fluid between the retina andthe back of the eye separates the retina from the back of the eye andcauses it to detach (FIG. 4).

[0006] There are several procedures available to treat retinaldetachment. The severity of the detachment or tear in the retinatypically determines which of the procedures should be performed.

[0007] If the retina is torn but there is little or no retinaldetachment, laser photocoagulation may be used to seal the retinaltears. During laser photocoagulation a laser is used seal the tear.Using the laser, small burns are placed around the edges of the tear.This produces scar tissue that seals the edges of the tear and preventsvitreous fluid from flowing through the tear.

[0008] Freezing or “cryopexy” is another procedure that is used to treatretinal tears. According to this procedure, the back wall of the eyebehind the tear is frozen to produce scar tissue. As with laserphotocoagulation, the scar tissue seals the edges of the tear andprevents vitreous fluid from flowing through the tear.

[0009] If the flow of the vitreous fluid between the retina and the backof the eye has caused the retina to detach, more complicated surgicalprocedures are required. In general, the detached portion of the retinais pressed against the back wall of the eye. Any subretinal fluid thatis present must be drained from under the retina to allow the retina tosettle back onto the back wall of the eye. The tears may then be sealedby use of, e.g., lasers, freezing, or an electrically heated needlewhich create scar tissue and seals the tear.

[0010] In severe cases, it is sometimes necessary to use a techniquecalled vitrectomy. During this procedure, the vitreous body is cut awayfrom the retina and removed from the eye. The vitreous cavity may thenbe filled with air or gas to push the retina back against the wall ofthe eye. In time, clear fluid from the blood seeps into and permanentlyfills the vitreous cavity.

[0011] During an ophthalmic procedure (e.g. retinal tear, retinaldetachment, vitreoretinal procedure), the tip of a cannula is generallyused to press a detached portion of the retina against the back wall ofthe eye, to fill the vitreous cavity with air or gas, and to remove thesubretinal fluids from under the retina to allow the retina to return toits anatomically correct position.

[0012] A disadvantage of conventional cannulas is that the soft materialof the cannula tip is transparent and, thus, difficult for the surgeonto discriminate during use, particularly during the fluid/air exchangewhen visibility is compromised by bubbles and a significant change inthe refractive media from fluid to air.

[0013] There is a need for improved devices, systems and methods for useof these devices and systems during ophthalmic procedures. Inparticular, there is a need for improved devices, systems and methodsfor use during ophthalmic procedures wherein the device is easier for auser to detect and, thus, provides safe and easy manipulation around theparticularly delicate eye area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention provides a novel surgical device andmethods for use thereof.

[0015] More particularly, the present invention enables safe and easymanipulation of a surgical device during ophthalmic procedures (e.g.,retinal tear and retinal detachment surgery), thereby minimizing thepotential for damage to the delicate eye area.

[0016] In particular, the surgical device of the present invention is asoft tip cannula useful during ophthalmic surgery. The soft tip devicemay be an aspirating device or a non-aspirating device.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the surgical device is a soft tipcannula that assists in removing fluids during surgery. The soft tipcannula is particularly suitable for the removal of fluids from theposterior chamber of the eye during retinal detachment surgery.

[0018] In another embodiment, the surgical device is a non-aspiratingsoft tip device, such as a soft tip scraper cannula for assisting in theremoval of membranes, such as the posterior hyaloid, internal limiting,and other membranes of the eye.

[0019] The soft tip device of the present invention provides enhancedvisibility of the soft tip to the surgeon so that he/she may more easilymanipulate the device safely and effectively.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present invention, theproperties of the typically transparent soft material comprising thesoft tip portion of the device are modified in order to enhancevisibility of the device to the surgeon.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the soft tip material is tinted,marked or stained to enhance visibility. The tinting, marking or stainis preferably of such a color that improves identification, visibility,position, and depth perception of the tip of the device. In oneembodiment, the soft tip is stained with fluorescent material.

[0022] The entire soft tip may be tinted, marked or stained.Alternatively, the tip may be demarcated with an identifying mark,fiducial line, ring, characters, or stripe(s) to improvevisibility/identification. One color or a combination of colors may beused as desired.

[0023] In preferred embodiments, the soft tip cannula is used with afiber optic probe or similar illuminator by shining light from the fiberoptic probe or similar illuminator onto the soft tip.

[0024] In another preferred embodiment, the soft tip cannula isconnected to a fiber optic illuminator or a laser fiber and coloredbeams of light are transmitted by the soft tip to enhance visibility.

[0025] Other aspects and embodiments of the invention are discussedinfra.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of the soft tipsurgical device of the present invention.

[0027]FIG. 2 shows a diagram of a normal, healthy eye.

[0028]FIG. 3 shows diagram of an eye with a typical retinal tear.

[0029]FIG. 4 shows diagram of an eye with a typical retinal detachment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Referring now to the various figures of the drawing wherein likereference characters refer to like parts, there is shown in FIG. 1various views of a soft tip surgical device 1 in accordance with theinvention.

[0031] As shown, the soft tip surgical device 1 is in the form of acannula, which may be aspirating or non-aspirating. Cannulas arewell-known and, thus, although described below with reference to apreferred embodiment, the general features (e.g. size, shape, materials)of the soft tip surgical device 1 may be in accordance with conventionalcannulas.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the soft tip surgical device 1 isdesigned for ophthalmic procedures. As such, the soft tip surgicaldevice 1 comprises a body portion 2 having a proximal end 4, a distalend 6 and a soft tip 8 located on the distal end 6 of the body portion2. A hub 10 may further be located on the proximal end 4 of the bodyportion 2.

[0033] In use, the soft tip surgical device 1 may be attached to ahandle (not shown), which provides a user with further means forgripping the device 1. Such handles are known and are commonly referredto as extrusion handles. In the case of an aspirating device, the handlecould be hollow so that fluid, gas and other material may flow throughthe handle. In the case of a non-aspirating device, the handle may behollow or solid as desired. The handle may be attached to the soft tipsurgical device 1 by a frictional fit and/or any conventional fasteningmeans. The hub 10 portion may further be included and designed so as toassist in connecting the device 1 to the handle via a frictional fitand, if desired, any conventional fastening means may be used to assistthe hub 10 in connecting the device 1 to the handle.

[0034] If desired, the handle may be omitted in an aspirating typedevice and, in such embodiments, the user may, for example, grip thedevice by the hub 10 and/or tubing connecting the device to avacuum/aspiration source. In such an embodiment, the hub 10 portion mayfurther be included and designed so as to assist in connecting thedevice 1 to the tubing via a frictional fit and, if desired, anyconventional fastening means may be used to assist the hub 10 inconnecting the device 1 to the tubing.

[0035] In use, the soft tip surgical device 1 is gripped by a handle,the tubing and/or hub 10 and the body portion 2 with the soft tip 8 isintroduced into the surgical site. During an ophthalmic procedure, thesoft tip 8 and body portion 2 enter the eye, for example, through anincision made in the eye to provide access to the retina at the back ofthe eye. Thus, the body portion 2 is preferably elongate in shape toprovide easy access to the surgical site. Preferably, the body portionis designed so as to conform with the incision made in the eye(typically a 20 gauge incision) such that as the body portion 2 isinserted in the eye through the incision, the incision molds around thebody portion and prevents leakage of materials into or out of the eyearound the body portion 2. Further, the body portion 2 is preferablydesigned with a 1 smooth surface so as to prevent further trauma to theeye as it is inserted through the incision. In one preferred embodiment,as shown in FIG. 1, the body portion 2 has an elongate cylindricalshape. The body portion 2 may have a substantially uniform crosssectional diameter or may taper. In one preferred embodiment, the bodyportion 2 tapers towards the distal end 6 to provide precision inplacement of the soft tip 8. Although the body portion 2 is depicted ascylindrical in shape, other shapes may be used as desired. Additionally,the body portion 2 may include a bend (not shown) to provide easieraccess to areas that are difficult to reach.

[0036] The body portion 2 may be fabricated of any conventionalmaterials used in forming similar surgical devices. Preferably, thematerial is lightweight and strong. Some conventional materials includeplastics and stainless steel. Further, because the body portion 2 isinserted in the eye area in some applications, the materials used informing the body portion 2 must be medically approved for such contact.

[0037] The soft tip surgical device 1 may be an aspirating device or anon-aspirating device. As a non-aspirating device, the body portion 2may be hollow or solid.

[0038] As an aspirating device, the body portion 2 has a cavity throughwhich fluids, gas and other materials may flow. The body portion furtherhas a soft tip 8 at its distal end 6. Still further, tubing (e.g. PVCtubing) extending from the proximal end 4 of the body portion 2 (or hub10 or handle, if included) connects the device to an external fluid orpressure source (e.g. Vitrectomy machine). The soft tip 8 is fabricatedso as to maintain its shape and not collapse when the external fluid orpressure source is turned on. The soft tip 8 is further designed so asto allow the flow of fluid, gas and other materials through it. Forexample, the soft tip 8 may have one or more apertures, may be formed ofa porous material or may be hollow.

[0039] In one embodiment, when used as an aspiration device, the softtip 8 includes one or more slits or openings through which air, fluidand other materials may flow. The openings or slits may be of anygeometric shape such as, for example, circular, oval or triangular.Preferably, the openings or slits are designed with rounded, smoothedges so as to not traumatize the delicate eye area in the event ofcontact with the eye. The number, size and placement of the openings orslits are not particularly limited, and may be in accordance with knownaspirating cannulas for similar applications.

[0040] In another embodiment, the soft tip 8 is hollow and designed sothat air, fluid and other materials may flow through the hollow soft tip8 during use. As such, the hollow soft tip 8 may have any geometricshape and, for example, may be in the shape of a cylindrical hollowtube. During use, the soft tip surgical device 1 would be connected toan external fluid or pressure source, such as a vacuum/aspirationdevice. Materials from the eye would be aspirated through the open endof the hollow soft tip 8, through the hollow soft tip 8, through thecavity in the body portion 2 of the device, through the hub 10, throughthe handle, through the PVC tubing and, finally, the materials wouldreach a reservoir (e.g. a bag or chamber) at the vacuum/aspirationsource.

[0041] To be used as an aspirating device 1, the proximal end 4 isdesigned so as to connect to an external fluid or pressure source. Forexample, the proximal end 4 may be designed for direct connection totubing that connects the device 1 to an external fluid or pressuresource. Thus, the proximal end 4 may be designed to have a frictionalfit within or about the tubing. Conventional fastening means may also beused to secure the tubing to the proximal end 4. Alternatively, theproximal end 4 may be connected to the tubing via a conventionalcoupling device such as, for example hub 10. Further, if desired, thedevice 1 may be connected to a handle which, in turn, connects thedevice 1 to tubing.

[0042] The soft tip surgical device 1 is particularly suitable for usein ophthalmic surgical procedures. As such, the soft tip 8 may be formedof any material suitable for contact with the delicate eye area. Becausethe soft tip 8 is inserted into the eye area, the materials used informing the soft tip 8 must be medically approved for such contact.Preferably, the soft tip 8 is formed of a soft, flexible and resilientmaterial such as rubber or plastic. Silicone rubber and polyurethane aretwo examples of particularly suitable materials.

[0043] The soft tip 8 may be fixedly or removably connected to the bodyportion 2. Known means such as, for example, adhesives may be used tofixedly secure the soft tip to the body portion 2. The soft tip 8 mayalso be removably connected to the body portion by known means such as,for example, forming the soft tip 8 and the body portion 8 to havecorresponding threaded portions that allows removable attachment of thesoft tip 8 to the body portion 2. By providing a removable soft tip 8,the device may be reused by simply sterilizing the body portion 2 withethelene oxide gas or similar means and replacing the soft tip 8 tomaintain sterility and prevent cross-contamination between uses. Morepreferably, the entire device 1 is disposed of and replaced between usesto maintain sterility and prevent cross-contamination between uses.

[0044] According to the present invention, the soft tip 8 material ismodified so as to enhance its visibility to a user while in the surgicalfield. In a preferred embodiment, the soft tip 8 material is colored,thereby improving identification, visibility, position and depthperception of the soft tip 8. Any colors may be used to optimizevisibility of the soft tip 8 in the surgical field. Because the retinais generally orange-red in color, the soft tip 8 is preferably designedto provide maximum contrast on the orange-red background. Visualizationand depth perception may be maximized by utilizing the science of opticsand vision to select colors that will provide optimal contrast. Optimalcontrast may be achieved by use of complimentary colors, as set out byJohannes Itten's color wheel developed in the 1930's. Thus, in apreferred embodiment wherein the soft tip 8 is utilized for retinaldetachment surgery, the soft tip 8 would preferably be coloredgreen-blue.

[0045] In one embodiment, the soft tip is coated or stained with afluorescent material. Preferably, for use in retinal detachment surgicalprocedures, the soft tip 8 would have a green fluorescence. In anotherembodiment, the soft tip has an identifying mark, fiducial ring,character, stripes or other designs that improves visibility of the softtip. These identifying marks, fiducial rings, characters, stripes orother designs are preferably selected so as to provide optimal contrastwith relation to the background during use.

[0046] In another embodiment, the soft tip surgical device 1 is usedtogether with a fiber optic probe or similar illumination mechanism,wherein the probe or illumination mechanism shines a light on the softtip 8 to enhance its visibility in the surgical field.

[0047] In another embodiment, the soft material is connected to a lightsource, such as, for example, a fiber optic that illuminates the softtip material so as to improve the visibility of the soft tip 8 while, atthe same time, improving the visibility of the surgical field. Forexample, the light source may shine through the interior of the deviceand light up the soft tip 8 from within the soft tip 8.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment, an aspirating soft tip surgical device1 has an overall length, from the soft tip 8 to the proximal end 4,ranging from about 28 to about 32 mm. More preferably, the soft tipsurgical device 1 has a length ranging from about 29 mm to about 31 mm.The soft tip 8 portion of the device preferably has a length that rangesfrom about 2 mm to about 6 mm. More preferably, the length of the softtip 8 portion of the device ranges from about 2 mm to about 3 mm. Ifincluded, the hub 10 preferably has a length ranging from about 10 mm toabout 12 mm. In applications where the body portion 2 of the device isinserted into the eye through an incision, the diameter or thickness ofthe body portion 2 preferably conforms to the size of the incision sothat the incision molds around the body portion 2 and prevents leakageof materials around the body portion 2. For example, in preferredembodiments, the diameter or thickness of the body portion 2 ranges fromabout 0.6 mm to about 1.2 mm. More preferably, the diameter or thicknessof the body portion 2 ranges from about 0.8 to about 1.0 mm. However, itis to be understood that the diameter or thickness of the body portion 2may vary depending on the particular procedure performed and the size ofthe incision made. In such applications where the body portion 2 isinserted into the eye through an incision, the length of the bodyportion 2 would be designed so that the soft tip 8 would reach theretina and back of the eye while allowing only the body portion 2, andnot the hub 10, tubing or other apparatus connected to the proximal end4 of the body portion 2, to enter the incision. If the device 1 is anaspirating device, the inner opening through which materials from thesurgical site are suctioned preferably has a diameter ranging from about0.2 mm to about 0.5 mm. More preferably the inner opening has a diameterranging from about 0.25 mm to about 0.35 mm. Such dimensions areparticularly suitable for optical procedures wherein the surgical areais delicate and can withstand limited suction and pressure. However, itis to be understood that various dimensions may be utilized depending onthe desired suction and pressure limits for the particular application.

[0049] The soft tip surgical device 1 may be utilized during a retinaldetachment surgical procedure as follows: an incision is made in the eyeto provide access to the retina. The soft tip surgical device 1 inaccordance with one embodiment is then inserted through the incision,with the soft tip 8 and the body portion 2 entering the incision. Thedevice 1 could then be used to press the detached portion of the retinaagainst the back wall of the eye. Additionally, the soft tip 8 may beembedded with abrasive materials to allow for scraping of scar tissueand eye tissues that are desirable to remove to increase visual acuityoutcomes (e.g. ocular tissues: posterior hyaloid and internal limitingmembrane “I.L.M.”) As such, the device may be either a non-aspirating oraspirating device. If the device is non-aspirating, it is preferablyremoved and an aspirating soft tip surgical device 1 is then insertedinto the eye. If the device is an aspirating soft tip surgical device 1,then the device remains in the eye.

[0050] During a vitreoretinal surgical procedure, after the vitreousbody is cut away from the retina and removed from the eye, theaspirating soft tip surgical device 1 may be used to fill the vitreouscavity with air or gas to push the retina back against the wall of theeye. In such an application, the soft tip surgical device 1 would beconnected to an air or gas source. The aspirating soft tip surgicaldevice 1 can further be used to drain any subretinal fluid that ispresent between the retina and the back wall of the eye to allow theretina to settle back onto the back wall of the eye.

[0051] The present invention also includes kits that comprise one ormore device of the invention, preferably packaged in sterile condition.Kits of the invention also may include, for example, one or more bodyportions 2, soft tips 8, etc. for use with the device, preferablypackaged in sterile condition, and/or written instructions for use ofthe device and other components of the kit.

[0052] The following non-limiting example is illustrative of theinvention.

EXAMPLE

[0053] Using the soft tip surgical device 1 and surgical technique ofthe present invention, three different surgeons performed vitreoretinalprocedures. The surgeons evaluated the performance of the soft tipsurgical device 1, the ability to visualize the distal soft tip 8portion of the device during the fluid/air exchange portion ofvitreoretinal procedures. During this procedure step visualization isdifficult due to the mixture of air and fluid in the eye, which havedifferent indexes of refraction.

[0054] The results were unanimous. All three surgeons evaluating thesoft tip surgical device 1 indicated a dramatic difference invisualization of the soft tip 8 as compared to the traditional clearsilicon soft tip cannulas. The surgeons indicated that the soft tip 8appeared to be glowing or fluorescing when light from a fiber opticprobe in their opposite hand was shone on the soft tip 8 and that thecolor provided significantly better contrast on the red-orangebackground of the retina. Insertion of a traditional clear tip cannulaas a comparison did not result in good visualization.

[0055] The foregoing description of the invention is merely illustrativethereof, and it is understood that variations and modifications can beeffected without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention asset forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A surgical device particularly suitable forophthalmic surgical procedures comprising: an elongate body portion; theelongate body portion having a proximal end and a distal end; a soft tipat the distal end of the body portion; and the soft tip being modifiedso as to enhance a user's visibility of the soft tip in the surgicalarea.
 2. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the soft tip is formedof a soft material at least partially colored to enhance a user'svisibility of the soft tip.
 3. The surgical device of claim 2, whereinthe soft tip material has one or more markings to enhance a user'svisibility of the soft tip.
 4. The surgical device of claim 3, whereinthe marking is a fiducial ring.
 5. The surgical device of claim 2,wherein the soft tip material is at least partially colored with afluorescent material.
 6. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein thesoft tip is connected to a light source that illuminates the soft tip.7. The surgical device of claim 6, wherein the light source furtherilluminates the surgical site.
 8. The surgical device of claim 6,wherein the light source is a fiber optic that illuminates the softmaterial.
 9. The surgical device of claim 6, wherein the light source isa laser transmitting fiber.
 10. The surgical device of claim 9, whereinthe laser transmitting fiber transmits colored beams.
 11. The surgicaldevice of claim 1, wherein the body portion of the device is hollow andthe device is an aspirating device.
 12. The surgical device of claim 11,wherein the soft tip is formed of a porous material that allows materialto be passed through.
 13. The surgical device of claim 11, wherein thesoft tip has one or more apertures through which material may pass. 14.The surgical device of claim 11, wherein the soft tip is hollow.
 15. Thesurgical device of claim 1, wherein the device is a non-aspiratingdevice for retinal manipulation or scraping of scar tissue or oculartissues.
 16. The surgical device of claim 1, further comprising a hub atthe proximal end of the body portion.
 17. A medical device kit,comprising one or more of the surgical devices of any one of claims 1through
 16. 18. The kit of claim 17, wherein the one or more deliverydevices are packaged in sterile condition.
 19. A method for performingan ophthalmic surgical procedure utilizing the device of any one ofclaims 1 through
 16. 20. A method for performing an ophthalmic surgicalprocedure comprising the steps of: (a) providing a surgical devicecomprising: an elongate body portion; the elongate body portion having aproximal end and a distal end; a soft tip at the distal end of the bodyportion; the soft tip being modified so as to enhance a user'svisibility of the soft tip in the surgical area; (b) making an incisionin the eye of a patient to access the treatment area; (c) inserting thesurgical device into the treatment area through the incision; (d)performing the ophthalmic surgical procedure; and (e) removing thedelivery device from the treatment area wherein the ability to visualizethe soft tip during the ophthalmic surgical procedure is enhanced. 21.The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of shining a lightonto the soft tip while performing the ophthalmic surgical procedure.22. The method of claim 21, wherein a fiber optic probe is used to shinethe light onto the soft tip.
 23. The method of claim 20, furthercomprising the step of causing the soft tip to glow or fluoresce. 24.The method of claim 23, wherein a light is shone on the soft tip tocause the soft tip to glow or fluoresce.
 25. The method of claim 20,wherein the surgical device further comprises a light source inconnection with the soft tip and wherein the method further comprisesilluminating the soft tip with the light source.
 26. The method of claim25, further comprising the step of illuminating the surgical site withthe light source.
 27. The method of claim 20, wherein the soft tip isformed of a soft material at least partially colored to enhance a user'svisibility of the soft tip.
 28. The method of claim 26, wherein the softtip material has one or more markings to enhance a user's visibility ofthe soft tip.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the one or moremarkings is a fiducial ring.
 30. The method of claim 27, wherein thesoft tip material is at least partially colored with a fluorescentmaterial.
 31. The method of claim 20, the body portion of the device ishollow and the device is an aspirating device and wherein the method ofperforming an ophthalmic surgical procedure comprises a vitreoretinalsurgical procedure comprising the steps of: cutting the vitreous bodyaway from the retina; removing the a vitreous body from the eye; pushingthe retina back against the wall of the eye; draining any subretinalfluid present between the retina and the back wall of the eye; andallowing clear fluid from the blood to fill the vitreous cavity.
 32. Themethod of claim 31, wherein the surgical device is an aspirating deviceand the surgical device is used to introduce air or gas into thevitreous cavity to push the retina back against the wall of the eye. 33.The method of claim 31, wherein the soft tip of the surgical device isused to push the retina back against the wall of the eye.
 34. The methodof claim 31, wherein the surgical device is an aspirating device and thesurgical device is used to drain any subretinal fluid present betweenthe retina and the back wall of the eye.
 35. The method of claim 31,wherein the soft tip is embedded with abrasive materials and wherein themethod further comprises the step of scraping scar tissue and eyetissues to increase visual acuity outcomes.